Facts about Islam

Facts about Muslims

Islam is the religion of peace. Islam, the second-largest religion after Christianity. More than 24.1% of the worlds’ population are Muslims. With over 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, making it the second-largest religion in the world. As we move ahead with the article, we would look at the difference between Islam and Muslim, and Sunni and Shia, learn about Prophet Muhammad and also about how Islam originated.

Islam
Practices of Islam

What is the difference between Islam and Muslims?

Prophet Muhammad
Prophet Muhammad

Islam is the name of the religion, while Muslim is the name of the practitioner of Islam. Islam is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. The ‘Five pillars of Islam’ lists the religious practices of Muslims. The ‘Five pillars of Islam’ are daily prayers (salat), the declaration of faith (Shahadah), fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm), alms-giving (zakat) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime.

While converting to Islam, one is supposed to utter the Shahadah (one of the ‘Five pillars of Islam’). Before switching, he is to believe that there is only one God, Allah and Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

The set statement to be recited before converting is “لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله” which means “There is no God but Allah, and Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Who was Prophet Muhammad?

Prophet Muhammad is the founder of Islam. He was an Arab social, religious and political leader. As it is evident, he was a prophet sent to present and confirm the teachings of Islam. The lessons were preached previously by Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and many other prophets. He is the final Prophet of God in Islam.

He was born in 570 CE (approximately) in the Arabian city of Mecca. Prophet Muhammad was orphaned at the age of six and was then looked after by his paternal grandfather Abd al-Muttalib. He reportedly visited the cave by Gabriel, while receiving his first revelation from God.

Difference between Sunni and Shia:

Sunni and Shia have many aspects of Islamic teachings in stock and also have their differences. Nearly 90% of Muslims are Sunni, while 10% are Shia. Countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia mostly concentrate Sunnis. Countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Iran and Syria largely concentrate Shias.

The companions of Prophet Muhammad preserved and reported his teachings. Shias feel distrust toward some companions of the Prophet such as Abu Bakr, Umar and Aisha. These companions narrated about the Prophet’s life his teachings. Shias no not believe narrations of some of the companions.

Sunni and Shia
Sunni and Shia

How Islam originated?

The first Prophet of God is Adam. He preached the aspects of Islam. This is how Islam originated. Similarly, other Prophets such as Jesus, Abraham, Moses and Noah all preached the teachings of Islam. The last Prophet, Prophet Muhammad, was sent to report the teachings of Quran. In 610 CE, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began receiving revelations from God. The Prophet migrated to Medina (then known as the city of Yathrib), after the death of his uncle, Abu Talib.

How did Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) die?

He died in Medina situated in Saudi Arabia after suffering from significant illness and pain. The Prophet died in the evening of June 8, 632 AD at the age of 63. The news of his death was so sad to his companions that some of them found it hard to believe.

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